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Capital, Gig Harbor and Timberline have new head coaches, but you’ve seen them all before. Darren Tinnerstet was a longtime assistant for the Cougars. George Fairhart joins the Tides from Eatonville. And Mullen resumes his position with the Blazers — he took a two-year break after being hired as the school’s athletic director.

By the numbers

This league sent three teams — Gig Harbor, Peninsula and Timberline — to the state playoffs last season. Peninsula advanced the furthest before losing in the quarterfinals.

Outlook: Tinnerstet took over for longtime coach JD Johnson late in the summer, but was an assistant for Johnson for several years. Tinnerstet was also the quarterback when Capital won its first state title in 1996, so he knows the program well. The Cougars haven’t missed the playoffs in a decade, and look to continue that run behind Penner, who led the league in receiving (43 catches, 627 yards, seven TDs) and interceptions (eight) as a junior. Erickson is also back and healthy from a season-ending shoulder injury suffered against Timberline last September.

Outlook: The Cougars’ speed will be their strength this year. Welborne should get plenty of touches at running back, and Conley is projected to be a playmaker outside. Dykstra and senior Angel Davila are in a two-way battle at quarterback. Tyler Tubbs, a two-year starter at the position, moved to wide receiver. Central Kitsap’s defense is expected to carry the team early on.

GIG HARBOR TIDES

Coach: George Fairhart, first year

2016 record: 6-5, fourth in 3A SSC, lost in first round of state playoffs

Outlook: Gig Harbor has a new head coach roaming the sidelines this year in Fairhart, a longtime coach at Eatonville, who took over for Aaron Chantler. The Tides will look similar, running a spread offense, but Fairhart's wing-T could make some appearances. Yockey and Baerg are vying for the starting quarterback position, and Gregory provides big play ability for the Tides at wide receiver.

Outlook: Winder returns at tight end for the Rams, who have three more starters returning to the offensive line. That should give Kirk — who was a second-team 3A SSC selection as a junior at linebacker — some room to run. North Thurston’s defense lost two-time Olympian All-Area linebacker Ryan Burgman, and will have to reload quickly on both sides of the ball to contend with the league’s top teams, including crosstown rival Timberline.

Outlook: Peninsula will be tasked with replacing a huge senior class, but the Seahawks feel up to it. They return Griffin, who put on some muscle during the offseason and said the game continues to slow down for him. Shifty running back Potter is poised for a breakout year, while speedy receiver Beloate provides a deep threat for Griffin. The Seahawks will look for a little revenge against league foe Timberline, who claimed the title against them last season with a 7-3 win.

Outlook: Rhodes, a former wide receiver, moves into the quarterback position after two-year starter Tyler Giraldes graduated. Giraldes transformed Shelton’s historical ground-and-pound offense into an air raid during his career, but the Highclimbers are seeking more of a balance this season, Hinkle said. Goodwin returns at running back, and Colbenson is projected to be a top target for Rhodes. Hall is expected to lead Shelton on defense.

TIMBERLINE BLAZERS

Coach: Nick Mullen, ninth (first year back after two-year absence)

2016 record: 8-3, first in 3A SSC, lost in first round of state playoffs

Outlook: The defending league champions would prefer to stay at the top — and have the veterans to make it happen. Several linemen — including Olympian All-Area selections Jaelen Bush (Oregon State) and Camren Bowes — graduated, but the Blazers still look strong with Chase Bowes and Warick returning. The Blazers have speed, too. Barnes rushed for 550 yards, and scored eight total touchdowns, as a back-up to league MVP Anthony Hathaway a season ago. Barnes is also expected to lead the secondary, and with his speed, is a threat in every phase.

Outlook: Look for James Palmer — who transferred from 1A College Place at the start of his junior season — to make a big impact on Yelm’s run game, which saw leading rusher Brandon Thompson (1,353 all-purpose yards last year) graduate in the spring. Robinson is back at quarterback after winning the job midway through his sophomore season — he averaged 138 yards passing per game after he took over. Yelm’s leading tackler Platt is also back, along with McCown (three interceptions) and Morris (21-yard average on kick returns).